Evaluation of the patients’ level of knowledge about diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in cardiology

OBJECTIVES
It is sometimes observed that informing patients about cardiovascular procedures is not taken into appropriate consideration. In this study, we assessed the patients’ level of knowledge obtained through informing regarding the procedures performed in cardiology.

STUDY DESIGN
A 22-item questionnaire was developed to measure the knowledge of patients about cardiovascular procedures. After validation in a group of 10 volunteer patients, the questionnaire was administered to 200 participants (115 males, mean age 53 years; 85 females, mean age 49 years). The patients were inquired about their knowledge of electrocardiography (ECG), Holter, exercise stress test, echocardiography, coronary angiography (CAG), percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), electrophysiological study, and pacemaker implantation.

RESULTS
Of the participants, 33% had hypertension, 7.5% had diabetes mellitus, and 23% had coronary artery disease. Although the majority of the patients (n=159, 79.5%) had a prior electrocardiogram, only 7% (n=14) responded that it gave information about coronary artery disease. Eighty-six percent (n=172) of the participants did not know what Holter was. According to 44%, CAG was performed for visualization, and to 37%, for patency of the coronary arteries. Concerning the PCI procedure, 42% stated that they did not know how it was carried out, and 35% stated that the balloon was blown up during the procedure.

CONCLUSION
Furnishing patients with necessary information about cardiovascular procedures is important for improved health of individuals and the society at large, and there seems to be a considerable gap in this respect.